Review of Space Station 76 (2014) by Ola G — 17 Jul 2015

Space Station 76 is a refueling satellite near an alternate-reality Earth, circa 1976. Jessica (Liv Tyler), the new co-pilot of the satellite, arrives to start her new job. While at first the station appears normal and the people friendly, Jessica soon discovers that the people on board have issues due to the isolation and stress of being cooped up with one another in a relatively small space far from Earth. This is in addition the usual problems people struggle with, such as infidelity, loneliness, depression, and drug abuse. She tries to make friends and fit in, but, unable to connect meaningfully with anyone, she becomes lonely. She's baffled and disillusioned by the stiff and irritable Captain Glenn (Patrick Wilson), who harbours secrets of his own. She finds herself drawn to Ted (Matt Bomer), a lonely, married crewman and mechanic, and his 7 year-old daughter, Sunshine (Kylie Rogers). Ted feels the attraction as well, but his wife Misty, the ship's nutritionist, feels the threat of Jessica and she will not stand on the sidelines and watch the this attraction take place...

This so called black comedy is just a hit and miss in my book. Slick in production and visuals, but completely aimless in storyline as everything seems to go on half speed and Jack Plotnick doesn´t manage to create any sparks between the actors, with the characters and the plot. I found "Space Station 76" a strange tale not knowing what leg to stand on. Yes, the idea of making some sort of homage to the 70s sci-fi genre and in many ways to the classic tv-show "Space: 1999" is ok, but "Space Station 76" is not funny, nor exciting. The mix of humour and drama simply doesn´t work at all and the actors seems to not know how to approach the story nor the characters. The only thing that was actually a bit exciting was that Todd Rundgren, had four of his 1960s and '70s songs play in the film: "International Feel", "I Saw The Light", "Hello It's Me" and "Utopia Theme". Good musical score choice. The rest, not exciting.